Harry Lindsey, 32, has been charged with fatally shooting his 29-year-old girlfriend, Sharita Cristwell of Bladensburg, following an argument on Saturday, according to Prince George’s County police.
Authorities revealed that Lindsey, a resident of Landover, Maryland, had previously been arrested and charged with assaulting Cristwell just weeks before the alleged murder. Despite those charges, he was released from custody prior to the fatal incident.
County Executive Aisha Braveboy stated during a Tuesday press conference that Lindsey was arrested on June 16 and charged with first- and second-degree assault after allegedly strangling Cristwell. Prosecutors requested that he be held without bond due to the severity of the attack.
“Strangulation is a serious and often deadly form of assault,” Braveboy emphasized. “It signals a clear intent to kill and demands strong action from our justice system to protect victims.”
Despite those warnings, Lindsey was released shortly after his arrest.
Police responded to a shooting at an apartment in the 700 block of Stretford Way in Landover around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, where Cristwell was found dead. Lindsey was taken into custody the following morning in Capitol Heights.
Cristwell’s mother, Gereese McCotter, said the couple shared two children. “The pain I feel is unimaginable and constant,” McCotter said. “My grandchildren cry for their mother every single day.”
Braveboy also noted that Lindsey had previous convictions for weapons offenses. He is now facing charges of first- and second-degree murder and is currently being held without bond.
